Considering an MTC Viper Pro. Wondering what others think of theirs after the new factor has worn off. Thanks all!
MTC Viper Pro Owners: Any Regrets?
- Thread starter Mousefart
- Start date
I'm still trying to find the time to dial mine in.
Regrets? Mmm, I don't know if these are anything I can live without but...
- Click dialing the elevation turret - Click to the right to wherever, note the location of the tape, click once back left and the tape doesn't move. AKA "slop" or "play" in the gearing system. I haven't tried this while the turret is set to freewheel but, I can't imagine that play would go away by changing this.
- Focus/parallax side wheel numbers are VERY small. I wish they would have made them larger. Yes, I know the rear cap has a magnifier to help with this but, if I don't want to use that cap I end up straining to see where I'm at.
- Overall, I like the reticle very much. It's nice and clean with fine lines. I would change 1 thing. If you look at a TMX reticle, you'll see that it is hollow at dead center of the crosshairs. I immediately fell in love with this very small detail.
- The scope caps are loud when they flap open. It's kind of like a hollow plastic clunk of a sound. Easy to mitigate though, just open the caps slowly.
I don't like being overly negative so, I'll post some +'s as well.
Like I said about the reticle, clean, fine lines. The glass is nice and clear, comparable to Hawke. I really dig the customizable tape feature. It makes dialing in for distance very easy. I like that they added a lock option to both turrets and a freewheel option to the elevation turret. Taking those click sounds away could make the difference between a kill shot and an animal running off. The magnification scope cap is creative.
Overall, I like it! Once I dial it in perfectly to my rifle, I'm certain it will be a hit for me!
Tom
Regrets? Mmm, I don't know if these are anything I can live without but...
- Click dialing the elevation turret - Click to the right to wherever, note the location of the tape, click once back left and the tape doesn't move. AKA "slop" or "play" in the gearing system. I haven't tried this while the turret is set to freewheel but, I can't imagine that play would go away by changing this.
- Focus/parallax side wheel numbers are VERY small. I wish they would have made them larger. Yes, I know the rear cap has a magnifier to help with this but, if I don't want to use that cap I end up straining to see where I'm at.
- Overall, I like the reticle very much. It's nice and clean with fine lines. I would change 1 thing. If you look at a TMX reticle, you'll see that it is hollow at dead center of the crosshairs. I immediately fell in love with this very small detail.
- The scope caps are loud when they flap open. It's kind of like a hollow plastic clunk of a sound. Easy to mitigate though, just open the caps slowly.
I don't like being overly negative so, I'll post some +'s as well.
Like I said about the reticle, clean, fine lines. The glass is nice and clear, comparable to Hawke. I really dig the customizable tape feature. It makes dialing in for distance very easy. I like that they added a lock option to both turrets and a freewheel option to the elevation turret. Taking those click sounds away could make the difference between a kill shot and an animal running off. The magnification scope cap is creative.
Overall, I like it! Once I dial it in perfectly to my rifle, I'm certain it will be a hit for me!
Tom
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I got an MTC Viper Pro 5-30 with the used Impact package I just bought. I like this scope a lot. I also have a Hawke Airmax and I like this scope better. I love the elevation turret and the fact that you can customize the markings. I have done nothing to this scope except go to the range and dial it in for 50 yard zero. I took it out today and bagged over 40 ground squirrels with it. I don't use the side focus for range finding, so the number size is not an issuer for me. I don't think the caps are very loud, and they have not scared any critters that I know of. I have not noticed the slop in the turret as being much of an effect. The book talks about the slop and recommends you make adjustments from the same direction to account for it. The glass is clear and the reticle is nice but not overly busy with markings.
Bottom line, I am selling my Hawke and getting another MTC for my Wildcat.
Bottom line, I am selling my Hawke and getting another MTC for my Wildcat.
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Would you choose it over the Hawke Sidewinder? I was torn between this scope and the Hawke.
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I love this scope.
It's a little heavy but it's nice. Glass is beautiful, reticle is easy on th eyes.
If you store it in a case be aware that the reticle illumination light (which is nice by BTW) will turn on with a 2 second press. I actually turn it on then put it in the case so it's off when I pull it out. That's kinda stupid now that I'm writing it down. I should just pull the battery or add a little foam block to keep it from touching the case.
I leave it in freewheel.
As far as dialing from one direction- it does have a little play in that regard.
But what I've been doing is passing the yardage mark in both directions, wiggling and centering it back and forth right over the mark and it's been dead on. I did that from 117 yards up to 30 for about 2 hours a couple days ago and I was blown away how consistent it was. I just kept laughing.
The allen screws in the turret cap do not need to be tightened that much at all to grab, just snug. I hear some people are stripping it.
I'm stoked!
-Dan
It's a little heavy but it's nice. Glass is beautiful, reticle is easy on th eyes.
If you store it in a case be aware that the reticle illumination light (which is nice by BTW) will turn on with a 2 second press. I actually turn it on then put it in the case so it's off when I pull it out. That's kinda stupid now that I'm writing it down. I should just pull the battery or add a little foam block to keep it from touching the case.
I leave it in freewheel.
As far as dialing from one direction- it does have a little play in that regard.
But what I've been doing is passing the yardage mark in both directions, wiggling and centering it back and forth right over the mark and it's been dead on. I did that from 117 yards up to 30 for about 2 hours a couple days ago and I was blown away how consistent it was. I just kept laughing.
The allen screws in the turret cap do not need to be tightened that much at all to grab, just snug. I hear some people are stripping it.
I'm stoked!
-Dan
Upvote 0
I've had the 3x18 for a month now...love it, I've had a hawke sidewinder and Athlon Argos before and the MTC beats any of the glass in clarity...I do wish they'd offer a lifetime warranty like the other 2 do, I do feel the 3 little set screws on top could become an issue...I dunno if it's just me but when I shoot for a long period of time the reticle fades on me...I think it's to thin, anyways that's my opinion...oh and by the way mapping the turret works like a charm...thanks kmd!!
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I would pick one over the other depending on what I was going to use it for.
IMO...
The MTC would be great for a shooting style that has varying distances such as FT or hunting. That's not at all to say the Sidewinder couldn't do just as well.
I find the sidewinder very handy for benchrest and shooting at known distances.
Tom
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I’m still trying to find the time to dial mine in.
So is everyone else, ha ha. (just kidding).
– Click dialing the elevation turret – Click to the right to wherever, note the location of the tape, click once back left and the tape doesn’t move. AKA “slop” or “play” in the gearing system. I haven’t tried this while the turret is set to freewheel but, I can’t imagine that play would go away by changing this.
It wont go away. The "play" is always there and it has to do with the internal gears. If I remember correctly, it is 1/4 MOA? Maybe something else, but it is 1/4. That is why I tell people all the time that they need to consistent when using the top turret. If you are at lets say 50m and you go to 75m by turning the turret left, and then going back to 50m by turning the turret right, you need to go past your 50m mark and then come back to it. I am not sure if I am explaining it right, but that is what you have to do.
– Focus/parallax side wheel numbers are VERY small. I wish they would have made them larger. Yes, I know the rear cap has a magnifier to help with this but, if I don’t want to use that cap I end up straining to see where I’m at.
Don't have that issues. Mine was a pre-production unit and I do not have any numbers at all, ha ha. However, I do not use the magnifying "glass" either as turning it back and forth makes it come loose. : )
Like I said about the reticle, clean, fine lines.
Agreed.
The glass is nice and clear, comparable to Hawke.
I never owned a Hawke, so I cannot compare the two. As a matter of fact, I only owned scopes before in the $100 - $150 dollar range. That said, many complain about the clarity going really down when zooming above 15x. I personally never go over 10x for that reason.
I really dig the customizable tape feature. It makes dialing in for distance very easy. I like that they added a lock option to both turrets and a freewheel option to the elevation turret. Taking those click sounds away could make the difference between a kill shot and an animal running off. The magnification scope cap is creative.
Agreed.Tom, sorry, I did not plan on "hijacking" your post. I just wanted to add my experience to whatever you pointed out already, so I do not have to double post.
Thanks.
Kmd
So is everyone else, ha ha. (just kidding).
– Click dialing the elevation turret – Click to the right to wherever, note the location of the tape, click once back left and the tape doesn’t move. AKA “slop” or “play” in the gearing system. I haven’t tried this while the turret is set to freewheel but, I can’t imagine that play would go away by changing this.
It wont go away. The "play" is always there and it has to do with the internal gears. If I remember correctly, it is 1/4 MOA? Maybe something else, but it is 1/4. That is why I tell people all the time that they need to consistent when using the top turret. If you are at lets say 50m and you go to 75m by turning the turret left, and then going back to 50m by turning the turret right, you need to go past your 50m mark and then come back to it. I am not sure if I am explaining it right, but that is what you have to do.
– Focus/parallax side wheel numbers are VERY small. I wish they would have made them larger. Yes, I know the rear cap has a magnifier to help with this but, if I don’t want to use that cap I end up straining to see where I’m at.
Don't have that issues. Mine was a pre-production unit and I do not have any numbers at all, ha ha. However, I do not use the magnifying "glass" either as turning it back and forth makes it come loose. : )
Like I said about the reticle, clean, fine lines.
Agreed.
The glass is nice and clear, comparable to Hawke.
I never owned a Hawke, so I cannot compare the two. As a matter of fact, I only owned scopes before in the $100 - $150 dollar range. That said, many complain about the clarity going really down when zooming above 15x. I personally never go over 10x for that reason.
I really dig the customizable tape feature. It makes dialing in for distance very easy. I like that they added a lock option to both turrets and a freewheel option to the elevation turret. Taking those click sounds away could make the difference between a kill shot and an animal running off. The magnification scope cap is creative.
Agreed.Tom, sorry, I did not plan on "hijacking" your post. I just wanted to add my experience to whatever you pointed out already, so I do not have to double post.
Thanks.
Kmd
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oh and by the way mapping the turret works like a charm…thanks kmd!!
You are welcome!
Kmd
p.s. English is not my native language, so I have to ask. What is mapping? I think I know what you mean, but I just want to make sure. : )
You are welcome!
Kmd
p.s. English is not my native language, so I have to ask. What is mapping? I think I know what you mean, but I just want to make sure. : )
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Things I would change:
- The on of switch for the light should turn, not push. They have the turntable on/off switch on some of their other scopes, and I find that more comfortable. Especially when every other click is off. So you can go 1, off, 2, off, 3, off and so on. That way you can keep it at your desired brightness and do not have to go through 7 different levels.
- The "play" needs to go. They can make the tolerances on the gears smaller, which probably is going to increase the manufacturing cost a little, but I am fine with that. They could also use "belts" or magnets to drive the turret.
- The flip covers should not have to be screwed on. When using a camera mount, you have to screw them off and then back on again. "Clamping" them on like UTG does would be "better".
- Above 15x not clear. This might have been addressed already, but I still hear people say the same thing, so I am not sure. All I know is that they are coming out with a 10x version only, and there is a reason for that.
- If they keep making the 5 - 30x, I would like to see the magnification ring "snap" into place at the distance it is calibrated at. In this case it is 10x. I shoot often out of a window , and when the room is dark, I cannot see the magnification. If it were to click into place, much better.
There was something else, but I forgot, ha ha.
Bottom line is, this is their first attempt at this "range tape" thing, and I am sure that the second gen model will be even better. Also keep in mind that mine is pre-production, and some things have already changed...
thanks,
Kmd
- The on of switch for the light should turn, not push. They have the turntable on/off switch on some of their other scopes, and I find that more comfortable. Especially when every other click is off. So you can go 1, off, 2, off, 3, off and so on. That way you can keep it at your desired brightness and do not have to go through 7 different levels.
- The "play" needs to go. They can make the tolerances on the gears smaller, which probably is going to increase the manufacturing cost a little, but I am fine with that. They could also use "belts" or magnets to drive the turret.
- The flip covers should not have to be screwed on. When using a camera mount, you have to screw them off and then back on again. "Clamping" them on like UTG does would be "better".
- Above 15x not clear. This might have been addressed already, but I still hear people say the same thing, so I am not sure. All I know is that they are coming out with a 10x version only, and there is a reason for that.
- If they keep making the 5 - 30x, I would like to see the magnification ring "snap" into place at the distance it is calibrated at. In this case it is 10x. I shoot often out of a window , and when the room is dark, I cannot see the magnification. If it were to click into place, much better.
There was something else, but I forgot, ha ha.
Bottom line is, this is their first attempt at this "range tape" thing, and I am sure that the second gen model will be even better. Also keep in mind that mine is pre-production, and some things have already changed...
thanks,
Kmd
Upvote 0
EDIT:
- The set screws are not a good idea. Makes changing tapes in the field "scary". And as someone pointed out, stripping them happens faster than you think.
- The tape is a great idea, but it should be more like a ring, that can be snapped into place on the outside of the turret. There is not need to have this on the inside.
Thanks,
Kmd
- The set screws are not a good idea. Makes changing tapes in the field "scary". And as someone pointed out, stripping them happens faster than you think.
- The tape is a great idea, but it should be more like a ring, that can be snapped into place on the outside of the turret. There is not need to have this on the inside.
Thanks,
Kmd
Upvote 0
I have 5-30 two month and sold it.
to foggy, big and heavy :/
in hunting quicker on dots not changing turret.
so i go with scb2 in connect 3-12×24 and its amazing for hunting from 10 to 120m even when sun is almost down - best choice in my opinion.
to foggy, big and heavy :/
in hunting quicker on dots not changing turret.
so i go with scb2 in connect 3-12×24 and its amazing for hunting from 10 to 120m even when sun is almost down - best choice in my opinion.
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Here's a thread on different options for making the turret tape (can't go wrong doing it manually):
http://www.airgunnation.com/topic/mtc-viper-pro-range-tape/
http://www.airgunnation.com/topic/mtc-viper-pro-range-tape/
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